We represent Residents' views to local and central government by written submissions and presentations to Council committees and the full Council. We run the Annual Rubbish Collection to collect material the normal weekly rubbish collection won't take. We help construct and sponsor community facilities. We promote and help protect and preserve the environment. We run "Meet the Candidate" functions for both local and central government elections (we invite all candidates). We are a partner in the Trelissick Park project. We are a partner in the Community Liaison Committee. We produce regular newsletters. We run the Village Fair. We monitor Resource Consents that affect our community. Our suggested subscriptions are modest - Family - $10, Senior Citizens $2.

Committee

President – John Shrapnell, 27 Hanover Street, 473-7128, shrapnell@clear.net.nz

Vice President - Peter Buxton, 106 Weld Street, 472-3456, jbuxton@paradise.net.nz

Treasurer –Eva Durrant 15 Hanover Street, 470-7879, edurrant@xtra.c.nz

Secretary – Adelyn Wischnowsky, 474-3472, 021-197-6069, adelyn.wischnowsky@goodmanfielder.co.nz

Committee Members

Brendan Tracey 2b Norwich Street, 499-3380, brenz66@gmail.com

Malcolm Smith, 32 Hanover St, 473-0406, malcolm.smith@clear.net.nz

Tony Baker, 186 Wadestown Road, 472-0722,tonychristina.baker@xtra.co.nz

Bruce Stokell, 7 Blackbridge Rd, 472-4177, bruce@sportwork.co.nz

John Browning, 15 Pitt St, 472-2642, john.browning@paradise.net.nz

Colleen Pilgrim 14, Weld Street 934-2286, colleen.pilgrim@oag.govt.nz

Minutes of Wadestown Residents Assn on Monday 6 October 2009

Present: John, Adelyn, Colleen, Eva, Brendan, Peter, Malcolm and John.

RUBBISH COLLECTION
Dee to organise teams in near future.
Volunteers to call her.

SUBMISSIONS
Request for submissions from Wellington City Council. In respect of 30 year plan and Wellington Regional Council for public transport. Information and documentation available from John.
Colleen to co-ordinate support from WRA members.
John to circulate 30 year plan to members and collate responses.
Investigate possibility of using website to gauge public opinion.
John to forward email to Peter.

TRELISSICK PARK AWARD
John on behalf of committee supporting nomination for Trelissick Park Award.

COMMUNITY SPACE
Is available, security guard provided by Council when library unmanned.
WRA to hold next meeting in Community Space on Thursday and invite members of community to participate.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Current account healthy ($3130.50). No money in bonus saver account.
Eva to deposit approximately $2,500 in savings account to earn interest.
Eva to investigate Kiwibank interest rates.

COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION
Marked reduction in funding to Wellington Community Network.
John communicated community concerns in respect of this change to Council.
Suggestion to focus 2040 response on things that matters to communities, including developing communication strategy and introducing or maintaining hearts of communities, specifically community centre structure.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Civil Defence – worth talking to Northland Civil Defence about potentially reviving Wadestown Civil Defence.
Investigate Resilience Trust.

Minutes of Wadestown Residents Assn on Monday 8 June 2009

Present Tony Baker, Bruce Stokell, John Browning, Brenz Tracey, Malcolm Smith, John Shrapnell
Apologies Adelyn, Colleen, Peter, Eva

Recycling It was reluctantly decided to scrap the idea of using a separate truck to collect recyclable items from the Annual Rubbish Collection. The committee debated the issue and came to the conclusion that there was insufficient time for the special truck to complete the area before the main collection began. IT was the felthte system started last year of encouraging people to recover items for themselves was the bet solution at the moment.

Graphiti/vandalism Concern was voiced at the continuing break ins and thefts from cars along Wadestown Road. Although the police had recommended the formation of a Neighbourhood support group, it was felt that this method did not work in areas were neighbours cannot see each other’s houses and the houses could not been seen from the road. The complainant is considering installing security camera.
The Council is making available free graphiti clean-up kits from Council service centres .

Spreading the Word The Association needs to remind Councillors, and especially Council officers, that the Association has been involved in protecting and planting within the Kaiwharawhat Catchment are for the past 40 years. In 1969 the Council was preparing to turn the Ngaio Gorge into a Bradford tip. The Association opposed the move and forced public debate the turned the Council’s mind.

Wellington Community Network The Associaitonis appalled that the Council is to cut funding to WCN as this will result in the loss o our Wadestown webiste and some 400 other community website. Assn to ask council for document giving reasons for decision to cut funding

A letter of thanks and a gift is to be sent to the former Wadestown Librarian for her many services to the community.

Minutes of Annual General Meeting of the Wadestown Residents Association. Held in the Community Space at the Wadestown Library

Apologies
John Browning, Bruce Stokell , Louise Joyce, Doreen Green, Athol Swan, Ralph Green, Ms Booegart, Diana Antiss

Presidents Report
The most obvious outcome of this past year is the place in which we are now sitting. After more than 12 years of dealing with the City Council trying to get a new Community Centre we now have this space in the Library.

We are the guinea pigs, being the first group to use the space in the evening.

We have this space, which is delineated by the different paint colour on the ceiling. We also have the middle office, which we share with the library to store a few spare chair and the tea trolley.

When the Council announced the inauguration of this Community Space it said that people would be able to get a cup or coffee of tea here. That facility was promptly scrapped when it was realised that there was no means of washing the cups. The only sink was in the Librarian lunchroom. This is minute and room can only fit 2 people. Health and safety concerns were also raised because of children’s potential access to hot water and knives.

During the day this space is used by people visiting the library and clearly appreciated. In the late afternoon some schoolgirls seem to find it a good place to study.

During library hours, if you want the toilet then you must leave the building for the public toilet outside.

Outside of Library hours then we have special dispensation to use the librarian’s toilet inside the building.

You may also notice the presence of a Council Security Guard. He’s not here for your protection but to ensure that we don’t pinch the books or try to access and confidential information in the librarian’s office or around the library desk.

There is a clipboard wandering round and it would be helpful to have your reactions to this space. What works and what doesn’t?

I acknowledge Councillor Coughlan’s participation in persuading the Council officers to allows us to the use this space.

Whilst we must be grateful for small mercies, let me emphasized how small that mercy is. Karori had a new community centre and library built for it a year ago. Khandallah is about to get a $900,000 revamp of the Khandallah Town Hall. Aro Valley and Thistle Hall are being upgraded. And Newlands had just opened its new $2m two story Community Centre that includes several meeting rooms a basket ball hall, toilet and showers and fully equipped kitchen.

So while I’m grateful for this Community Space I shall continue pressing Council to build us meeting room, kitchen and public toilet behind the library here so that we can meet, relax, make coffee and go to the loo when we want to and not have a Security Guard to keep and eyes on us.

The two other major events of the year are the Village Fair and the Inorganic Rubbish Collection, Both of these seem to get bigger each year and while the community appreciates them, I believe we have to make some changes.

First the Fair. I have no doubt that one of the main reasons for the success of our Fair is just that OUR Fair. The only people we allow to have stalls are those who live in the area, or have a business here. The only exceptions are service groups such as the Fire Brigade, Police, Citizens Advice Bureau and similar.

It takes considerable time organizing the Fair and there are real dollar costs in providing and printing advertising material and distribution. To make it easy for people to take part, we have made no charge for places. Instead we say to stall holders, if they make a good profit then a small donation to the Residents Association would be appreciated. This approach has fallen on deaf ears. There was one exception this year when St Lukes generously sent us $40.

However next year’s Fair we will have a new regime. IF you are a financial member of the Wadestown Resident Association or still at school then the place will continue to be free. Anyone else will be required to pay a $10 fee for a place.

The Rubbish Collection This last rubbish collection we got community agreement that any resident could rescue and reuse items from piles put outside. This seemed to work but we still took massive amount of recyclable material to the tip.

This year we are negotiating with the Council to provide us with an extra truck that will complete the circuit of street and recover any obviously recyclable material. It will be placed on the grass outside here and will be for sale until about midday. Any proceeds go to the Association to recover our costs. Anything left over will go to the recycle spot at the tip.

And one last note on recycling. I’m considering using the Wadestown Web site as somewhere we could list anything that people would like to give for recycling. Not rubbish but anything in working order that you no longer need.

Council proposing to cut funding which may impact on communication for community groups. Cllr Andy ?Foster stated that funding may still be available for another year.

Village Green Report
Coleen Pilgrim reported that the WRA is a group member of Village Green. Gave thanks for support from WRA. Arbor day planting by school children. Village Green will be digging holes Saturday prior to Arbor day. All offers gratefully received. Plants gifted from Wellington City Council. 10am Saturday, 6 June, Village Green will be planting remaining plants. Bring a plate, tea and coffee provided. Opportunity to adopt part of area to ‘release the plants’. Outdoor seating area planned, feedback gratefully received. Congratulated WRA in securing Community Space.

Trelissick Park Report
Barry Durrant reported that all of the map boards are finished and that more and more people are using the park. Been approached by Highland Park Association for another entrance to park in Oban Street, however, would need Council to sort access. Sympathetic towards this. Fort Buckley track completed and has turned out well. Bridge has made it a great walkway.

Treasurers Report
Gus reported that there were three entries in bank a/c in year to date 31 March, 2009. Balance at just over $3200. Subs taking for year just over $50.

Elections
President – John Shrapnell - Nominated and seconded by Coleen
Deputy Chair - Peter Buxton
Secretary - Adelyn Wischnowsky
Treasurer – Eva Durrant
Committee
Brendan Tracey, John Browning, Malcolm Smith, Bruce Stokell, Tony Baker, Colleen Pilgrim

Any Other Business
Athol Swan has kauri trees available
Resident concerned about rubbish bags and recycling
Wadestown community supports recycling and would like to discuss with council about how we can work together. Information about where residents can dispose of recyclable goods website.

Vandalism and graffiti incidents. What can be done? Community keeping its eyes and ears open. Wall outside of Community Centre being prepared for artistic creative painting.

Balance of rates being moved from commercial to residential. Commercial currently subsiding residential rates. At end of 10 year process, commercial will be paying 2.8x rates of residential.

Minutes of WRA Committee meeting on 6 April 2009

Present Adelyn Wischnowsky, John  Shrapnell, John Browning, Eva Durrant, Colleen Pilgrim, Bruce Stokell

New Secretary
Our committee was introduced to our new Secretary, Adelyn Wischnowsky and she was greeted with considerable enthusiasm. (This paragraph was not written by Adelyn, but by me John)

Fair
Went well.
Disappointed in lack of response from stall-holders.
Moving forward:
Stalls - free for members of Wadestown Residents’ Association and children;
Non-members to pay $10
John to ‘formalize’ registration and request payment from stall-holders

Community Space
Unsure around ability to use after-hours
Test the waters and hold next meeting at Community Space
Hold off on campaigning about space behind library for the time being

AGM
John to investigate possibility of using Community Space for AGM
To be held June-ish

Renew Village Green Corporate membership
Corporate Membership - $50
Next project is developing seating area in conjunction with other community groups
Motion raised – John Browning Seconded - Eva
Decision made to renew Village Green Corporate membership

Rubbish Collection
Recyclable/saleable goods which could be sold for either $10 or $50 could be dropped off at Myers Park
Auction/sale held
Goods not sold taken to dump
Need to investigate how much is earned during this exercise in other communities, for example, Ngaio – is it a worth exercise?
Could donate proceeds to Wadestown Primary School or other community groups.
To be discussed in more detail at next meeting

Minutes of WRA meeting Monday 16 February 2009

Present John Shrapnell, Bruce Stokell, Malcolm Smith, Angus Marks, Jenny & Peter Murray, Eva Durrant

Finances
the Treasurer reported that our finances are healthy and he’d received several subs. the committee agreed to the expenditure of $30 for printing for the Village Fair and to buy some prizes.

Village Fair
About half the available stands have been filled and the committee were asked to talk to neighbours/friends to encourage other to take part. Jenny Murray offered to help dress the park with streamers on Fair Day.

Community Space
The President reported on the new community space that the Council has designated at the library. He made the point that the Association had always advocated using space behind the library for community rooms but the Council had decided to use a small part of the library. the space is expected to be available after the refurbishment of the library, which taking place on 3/4 March.

LTCCP
The President reported on the man forums that the Council has set up to get public input into it’s Long Term Council Community Plan. He was concerned at how Council would assess the multiple inputs. The council has asked all community groups, such as ours, to encourage people to participate.

There was a general feeling that the planned Indoor Sport Stadium was in the wrong place and Bruce Stokell offered to read report made on the Kilbirnie site, especially where users would come from and the effect on traffic/parking in the area

Secretary
Nick Lee Frampton has left Wadestown for the wilds of Stokes Valley. We need a new Secretary.

General Business
Eva said she was concerned at the large quantity of recyclable material that went to the tip on Rubbish Day. She suggested we look for a solution and discuss at the next committee meeting

Minutes of Annual General Meeting - Monday 21 July, Old Community Centre, Pitt St

Began 7:40pm with 15 people — and, later, one councilor — attending.
Apologies were received from Cllr Jo Coughlan and John Perrott (WCC).

1. Minutes of the 2007 AGM were read.
Arising from that came discussion on leaking sewage pipes, at 80 Cecil/11b Mairangi Rd.
This will be followed up at next WRA committee meeting. Also arising was the bus turning area opposite Wadestown Café.

2. President's Report

In general this has been a quiet year for the Association, but there have been some highlights.

The Annual Rubbish Collection took place at the beginning of November and yielded nine truckloads for the tip. Our volunteer collectors again commented on the considerable amount of recyclable material that was thrown out.  One pile included a heap of toys nearly a metre high, clearly thrown out because the child had outgrown them. Many toys were recovered and are now with other families.

The committee agreed that this was a matter that needed a better solution – more on that later.

The Village Fair once again grew in size.  All the old favourites such as a Guides water slide and the food area were still there, but the overall number of stands increased by 30%.  It was particularly pleasing to have calls from school children wanting to run their own stalls.  Some times it was to sell off their old toys, while others created various food products and sold them. A great learning experience on many levels for our young people.

The Community Centre concept continues to be a major issue.  We are now in our twelfth year of trying to persuade the Council that we need a new Community Centre. I find this very disheartening, particularly as the Council is able to help other communities with either refurbishment or brand new community centres. Karori, Newlands, Khandallah, Aro Valley, Tawa, Te Aro, Oriental Bay, Johnsonville, have all received Council attention and funds but Wadestown misses out every time.

I did get quite excited when the Council’s Chief Executive called me in to discuss Wadestown’s Community Centre problem.

I got even more excited when Gary Poole said that he thought the concept we had promoted of a combined Library/Community Centre was a good idea that could be used throughout the City.

But then back in Wadestown the reality set in.  The Council was quite prepared to spend thousand of dollars on an extension to Johnsonville Community Centre where our Ward Councillor John Morrison lives.  It was also willing to spend a few million to build a new Community Centre for Karori, where our Ward Councillor Andy Foster lives.  But in Wadestown where our Ward Councillor Jo Couglan lives, the Council largess went on some wheels to make the library shelves moveable.

If we are to get any movement on this issue, then the people of Wadestown need to start putting real pressure on our Councillors. When in 2002 we all spent a year consulting with the Council via the Community forum 71% of people voted in favour of the new Community Centre/Library plans that the Council architect produced. Since then only some wheeled shelves for the library. If that same 71% of Wadestown people stood up and said we want a proportion of the rates we pay spent in Wadestown, we might get somewhere.

Our Community Coordinator Louise Davies is now working out of the Library.  This move has worked well because Louise is now easily accessible, rather than being hidden up a steep path then past the guardians of the Crèche and up flights of stairs to her former cubbyhole.

Our Committee comprised of Nick Lee-Frampton, Angus Marks, Malcolm Smith, Jenny and Peter Murray, John Browning, Colleen Pilgrim and Bruce Stokell have worked well together.  I hope they will be there again this coming year.

Finally I promised to return to the Rubbish Collection.  This year it will take place on Saturday October 25.  And this year we will trial our idea for recycling more items and reducing the stuff taken to the tip.

While many people have looked enviously at some of the stuff put out for the collection, there has been a reluctance to recover items for fear they might be seen as stealing.   So, this year we are asking for a community agreement that any item put out for the annual rubbish collection is available to any resident who may have a use for it.

There are two provisos.  No unpacking of suitcases or boxes and the rubbish pile must be left tidy.  We are also encouraging people to put their items out on Friday if possible.

3. Financial Report
Treasurer reported expenses of $210, a solitary $5 subscription and thus a balance of $3211.
Discussion followed regarding subscription fee and collection of same (remarkably similar to discussion of the same matter a year previously).

Suggestions included mention of bank account details with rubbish collection notice allowing online funds transfer to occur. Also subs to be mentioned at election candidates meeting.

4. Trellissick Park Report
Walking tracks in the depths of Trellisick Park continue to flourish in quantity and quality.
Several thousand trees have been planted.

5. Community Coordinator
The work of the local People’s Advice Centre manager, Louise, was recognized and applauded.

6. Elections
J Shrapnell re-elected President unopposed. All other officers similarly were re-elected. Eva volunteered to join the committee.

7. General business:
Suggestions included: Use of email suggested to promote community centre. Those seeking sites at annual Fair be told a donation is required.

8.WCC
Cllr Andy Foster arrived and handled queries regarding pavement infrastructure, Pete’s Post mail boxes and other local

Meeting closed at 9.05pm

Minutes of Wadestown Residents Association meeting
7:00pm Monday 4 June 2008

Present - Nick, Bruce, Colleen, John S, Angus

Apologies - The Murrays

Treasurers Report - Angus said we had around $3200.

AGM - JS said we need AGM soon … mid-July to be assessed. We need younger blood said JS. Bruce said he would keep this in mind. Possible subject to raise with Councillors at AGM - JS said he could not find any reference to Wadestown in the WCC Annual Report.

Rubbish Collection  - Agreed to request items be put out by the Friday night — thus allowing opportunity for people to browse the streets for items they may desire. Probably late September, early October. Rules - No under-14s on the trucks.

Speed humps - Angus raised idea of speed hump(s) in Rankin St, home to many children, to slow through traffic. He will  approach the council about the matter.

Meet the candidates - Discussed and eagerly anticipated. Bruce said he would approach Marion Hobbs electorate office to host a farewell to Marion function.

It was noted there was a new principal at Wadestown School.

Meeting closed at 7:42pm.

Minutes of Wadestown Residents Association meeting
7:00pm Monday 4 February 2008

Nick Lee-Frampton, Jenny and Peter Murray, Colleen Pilgrim, John Shrapnell

Prospects and ideas for the forthcoming Fair on Saturday 8 March were discussed.

John confirmed 28 stands have already been allocated for the event, which formally runs from 11:00am until 2:00pm.
He said practical help in setting up the site earlier in the day would be appreciated and noted that the Wadestown Library will simultaneously be celebrating its 20th anniversary on the Myers Park site.

All councillors have been notified of the event, he said.

A suggestion was made of holding a child’s storybook character fancy dress contest with book tokens as prizes.

Jenny suggested people attending the fair could write down what they wish the council to do and also could leave their names and contact details for providing help with the annual rubbish collection.

This led to ‘Ask not what Wadestown can do for you, but what can you do for Wadestown.’

Colleen suggested approaches be made to a local in-home hairdresser and a massage therapist to take stands at the fair. Nick to contact these people also the local art gallery.

In other matters John said one letter of thanks had been received regarding last year’s annual rubbish collection.

Meeting closed 7:40pm approximately.

Minutesof Committee Meeting 9 July

Apologies John Browning
Present JS, NL-F, Colleen, Bruce S, Malcolm S, Angus Marks and the Murrays.

Matters arising
Trelissick Pk .. the WRA now is mentioned on their leaflets.

Rubbish collection: (28 October) It was agreed children should not be included in gathering the rubbish and that the Council should be asked to make that ‘official.’

Sub collection:  Generally agreed should be mentioned when announcing rubbish collection.  Discussion revealed that presently we do not know how many ‘hits’ the WRA website receives. JS will investigate this matter, having explained a ‘counter’ would incur a fee.

Village Green Trust: Colleen explained the Village Green’s aims and ambitions. Membership is $5 for individuals, $50 for an organisation. Bruce S urged WRA join. This was accepted.
         Colleen mentioned there is to be a ceremonial tree planting the coming Saturday and WRA ought to be represented. She also raised the option of Adopting a Spot and described a track wending from one end of the grassed area to the other.
         There was warm debate about the extent of Spike Milligan’s link(s) with the spot named after him.

Maintenance Report: Bruce S & Colleen raised the idea of WRA committee members taking note of work that needs to be done in the area, such as missing fence posts, defects in the road or the foot path.

Newsletter distribution: Discussion ensured on mail boxed bearing the legend no circulars.

Minutesof Annual General Meeting
8:00pm 25 June 2007, Wadestown Community Centre

Special Note The AGM was held simultaneously with the Highland Park Progressive Association's AGM. the two associaiton joined for mulled wind and cheese, separated for their AGMS and then recombined to listen to a Councillor officer explain the Council's moves on infill housing

Held with 12 people and Councillor Ian McKinnon present.
Apologies were received from Doreen Green, Jack Rubens and Pauline Swan,

Minutes of the 2006 AGM have escaped and this was accepted.

President's Report Matters of note included Project Crimson (clearance work around the Wadestown Library ‘village green’ area; annual rubbish collection; bus turning area yellow cross-hatch painted (this may be redundant when new timetables introduced in 2008); Sewerage overflow problem in Cecil Road (matter of who is responsible; Cllr Ian McKinnon offered to pursue the matter); Ian McKinnon said there is reason for renewed hope for a purpose-built community centre.

Financial Report Treasurer reported that all expenses (around $430) are confined to 2006 and emphasised that WRA has money (some $3400) available for a community project or projects.
Discussion followed regarding subscription fee and collection of same. In the course of this discussion the date of the next rubbish collection was given: 28 October.

Trelissick Park Representative's Report There are now a plethora of walking tracks in the depths of Trellisick Park.
Several thousand trees have been planted. The President asked that attention be drawn to the Trelissick Park Working Group that the existing signage in the park refers to Ngaio Association's contributions but make no mention of Highland Park or Wadetown resident association even though we are founder members and have contributed time and labour to the project.

Village Green Report Colleen Pilgrim gave a detailed report on the ‘Village Green’ activity which includes 10 trees planted by Wadestown School children. She said a lot of voluntary effort has gone towards clearing the area which may soon have seating and pathways.

If a letter regarding bus turning area is drafted, John Shrapnell will despatch for the Council’s attention.

Election of Officers and Committee

President - John Shrapnell
Treasurer - Angus Marks
Secretary - Nick Lee-Frampton
Trelissick Park Rep - Barry Durrant
Committee Bruce Stokell, Coleen Pilgrim, John Browning, Jenny & Peter Murray, Malcolm Smith
All other officers similarly were re-elected. Bron, Bruce and Jenny nominated and seconded these appointments.

The President thanked Cllr McKinnon for his help and support.

Minutes WRA meeting of 5 March 2007

Gathered were Angus Marks, John Shrapnell, Malcolm Smith and Nick Lee-Frampton to review the forthcoming Wadestown fair (on the 10th).

John said there were 37 stalls already booked — and very well displayed on the Wadestown website — which is some 20 percent more than the stalls at the 2006 fair.

The variety and nature of the stalls was discussed and John detailed the extent to which he had posted notices alerting the public to the event.

Discussion also turned to larger issues including clearing the excess vegetation near the local library, the unannounced explosions caused by the local power line officials, the methods proposed for extending broadband to city suburbs and a meeting on rates held on a Monday afternoon when most rate payers would be unable to attend.

Angus gave John a cheque for $70.26 to cover his expenses in providing sustenance to those recently engaged on gardening in the vicinity of the library.

It was agreed that future bank statements regarding the WRA account should be sent directly to the treasurer.

The meeting concluded amicably just hours before Malcolm's birthday.

Nick Lee-Frampton
Secretary

Minutes WRA Committee Meeting 29 January 2007

Gathered were Bruce Stokell, Jenny Murray, John Shrapnell and John Browning, Malcolm Smith, Nick lee-Frampton and Peter Murray.
Angus Marks was absent.

Village Green Fair 10 March 2007: Around nine stalls already booked and printed notices are on local boards.
Bruce will approach local art gallery and café to encourage their support.
Nick suggested a competition for wearable arts or fancy dress, with prizes from local businesses and accepted responsibility for the idea …
Malcolm discussed providing a repair stall for electrical implements needing specialist care.
Jenny suggested a competitive stall with guess the number of marbles –jelly beans- coins in a jar and also suggested a notice in the Thorndon New World emphasising Wadestown residents only.
John has artfully placed pictures of last year’s fair on the Wadestown website.

Greenery John Shrapnell explained he had provided sausages to feed those working on the battle against surplus foliage behind the library and it was agreed he should be reimbursed for this expense. There is to be a further assault on the 10th February.
John outlined the Village Green Charitable Trust and its efforts to gain funding from local authority.

Car parking The application of cross hatching paint upon the car parking/turning area opposite the surgery was discussed. John Browning will check the timetables but believes only one bus per day uses the area for turning. Bruce will write to the council about the matter; he suggested a sign could be erected prohibiting parking at the time(s) the bus needed to turn.

Other Vital and pressing matters. The varied nature of local bus shelters was discussed; some are ineffective at providing shelter from wind and rain. The growth, both in width and height, of the current species of lamppost was mentioned and generally deplored. Bruce said it is not technically necessary to have such thick cables for the provision of broadband transmission.

Next meeting on Monday 5th March will fine tune preparations for the fair on the 10th.

The meeting concluded amicably at about 8:00pm.
Nick L-F, Secretary

Annual General Meeting of the Wadestown Resident Association
7.30pm, 25 August 2006, Presbyterian Church Hall

President’s Report                                               Ref. 06AR

Committee
The best thing about this past year has been having a formal Treasurer, Secretary and committee. In recent years it’s been a bit of a one-man band with some very helpful occasional advisers. The committee has worked out very well this year and I guess it hasn’t been too arduous for them as all but one have agreed to stay on.

Community Centre
A lot of my time this past year has been taken up in the long running campaign to get a new Community Centre for Wadestown. The crunch came just before Christmas when the Community Centre Management Committee resigned. The timing couldn’t have been worse there were salaries and bills to be paid and no time to organise and advertise another meeting.

In the end Ian Shearer, the President of Highland Park Progressive Assn, and myself very reluctantly took over as temporary managers for the two months until we could organise another General Meeting.

The new Community Centre Management Committee is now up and running.  The Chair, Carol Oliver, sends her apologies as she was pre-booked for another meeting.  In our last conversation, Carol commented that I was right when I told her at the outset that she’d find the job would be mainly managing a building.

Another strand to the Community Centre story is the interest by the Wadestown Horticultural Society in helping develop a new Centre alongside the library. They see their participation not only as a user of a new Community Centre, but also in cleaning up and developing the scrappy piece of bush alongside the library as an example of their skills.

The third stand to this long running story is the Wellington City Council. They have now told us that “the chances of a new Community Centre for Wadestown are "sub-optimal”. This is confirmed by the Council's Long Term Community Plan where Wadestown doesn't even get a mention.     

Village Fair
The Village Fair this year was a great success.  This may have been due to the fact that it’s become a regular event or it may be the change of time worked better for people. The later start and food available for lunch seemed to encourage people to stay longer. We’ll try the same formula this year.

Rubbish Collection
The Rubbish collection caused us some problems.  There was the house that put out so much rubbish that it filled an entire truck and there was the other place that put out an old washing line pole complete with half a tonne of concrete.  The deep score in the paving showed that it has been dragged from another property. The two of us couldn’t lift it off the ground, let alone heave it over the edge of a truck side at head height. We had to leave it where it was, outside someone else’s hous,e and they were not happy about that.

While there may be an amusing side to these two experiences, the end results is that these people thoughtlessness means that we now have to impose restrictions on what we collect. If we can’t lift it, we’ll leave it. If you leave out a whole truckload of demolition material from the rebuilding of your house we’ll leave that too.

Triennial Review
You probably know that the Council is required to undertake regular reviews of representation for the election process. The two main factors they must take into account are that number of people in the wards must be within 10% of each other; the other is that wards must take into account communities of interest.

At the last review we were moved from Western Ward into the newly created Lambton Ward. Now the Council wants to move us once again from Lambton to the new Karori-Onslow ward. This stretches from Karori to Makara and includes Ngaio, Khandallah and Broadmeadows.  The numbers may balance but there is no community of interest between those areas. And none of the three present councillors live anywhere near Wadestown.

I have made submissions in the past that the Council should have smaller wards so that we might be represented by someone from our community. They have always rejected those arguments. 

Perhaps we should take a leaf from Eastbourne’s book and take some action about a Council that does not listen to its constituents. Ten years of lobbying and work to get our a new Community Centre for Wadestown and now to be told that we still have to prove there is a need, and that that our need is sub-optimal is not good enough.

Minutes of Wadestown Resident Association Committee
7.15pm, 14 August 2006, 27 Hanover Street

Present:      John Browning, Amanda Huttley, John Shrapnell, Angus Marks, Malcolm Smith, Bruce Stokell

Apologies:            Jenny Murray, Peter Murray

Minutes of Wadestown Resident Association Committee. 7.30pm, 3 May 2006, 27 Hanover St

Present:      John Browning, Amanda Huttley, Angus Marks, Jenny Murray, Peter Murray, John Shrapnell, Malcolm Smith

Apologies:            Bruce Stokell

Minutes of WRA Committee 7.30pm,7 September 2005, 27 Hanover Street

Present: Peter Murray, Malcolm Smith, John Browning, John Shrapnell

Apologies : Angus Marks (New Baby!!!), Amanda Shrapnell (older baby), Bruce Stokell (Too many babies)

1. The appropriate documentation has been signed to close off the redundant Playground Account and transfer the remaing funds to main account. WRA has paid for St Lukes Hall hire for Candidates meeting and Highland Park Progressive Assn has paid 50% of hire costs.

2. There was general concern the the Council's lack of consultation and surprise demolition of the Victorian shelter and the earthworks over part of the playground. John S reported that he had spoken to the Parks and Reserve person. Two or three picnic tables are to be installed plus a basket ball hoop and practice area. JS to write to Council expressing WRA concern at lack of consultation

3. The Council is still demanding proof that there is a need for a new community centre building alongside the library. Letter to be written to Community Centre Management Committee expressing WRA interest in using the centre.

4. Annual Rubbish Collection Day set for Saturday 29 October however letter from Council says that one WRA person can ride in truck and the rest follow round in cars. John S to take up issue with Council.

February 2006 Newsletter

Remember this? Yes, that’s last year’s Village Fair. Didn’t we have fun! Now is the time to get ready for this year’s Fair and Picnic which will be held on Saturday 18 March, 2006 11am - 2pm Philip Myers Park We are starting the Fair a little later in response to several suggestions. This is a community event. Please encourage your group, and your friends to take part. There is no charge for a stand but stands are only for people who live here, or who have businesses in Wadestown, or who serve our community directly. We do not allow itinerant sellers from other areas. You can display your skills or hobbies, and sell the things that you make. As well as that, we want people to have fun and enjoy themselves.

Remember the two girls last year who were offering handshakes. Their sense of fun made a lot of people smile. What can you do to follow that spirit? Call John Shrapnell 473-7128 or email shrapnell@clear.net.nz if you want a stand or to run an event. Safer Roads Project You can expect to see a variety of streetworks taking place over the next month or so. These are a result of the Council’s Safer Roads Project. Consultation with the community took place some two years ago at two public meetings. Some of the public suggestions have been incorporated in the plan, others have not. The Changing Cable Vista The electricity lines company has been replacing some of its power poles. The new poles are twice as thick and much taller. The result has been that the cable web and street lights have been lifted as much as 2 metres further off the ground. If this has adverse effects on your property, I suggest you first call your electricity supplier and make the complaint to them. They should take it up with the lines company and save you the hassle. If the problem continues, contact your residents’ association in either Wadestown or Highland Park. The Annual Rubbish Collection Our experience this year was in line with other associations in that we collected double the usual amount of rubbish. The reason for this substantial increase is attributed to the increased charges at the tip. One property alone put out sufficient rubbish to entirely fill one of our four trucks. The purpose of the rubbish collection is to help residents remove the larger items that cannot be put out for the usual rubbish collection or would pose difficulties for the elderly, the infirm or those without easy access to a trailer. It is not meant, as happened this year, as a way of disposing of the remains of building renovations. The amount and of type of rubbish that was put out for collection this year means that next year we will have to impose some restrictions. You may have noticed in the paper today that the Northern tip is to be closed and the whole of Wellington will have to use the one remaining tip at Happy Valley. Let’s recycle what we can. Community Centre Building The ten-year saga of our attempts to obtain a new Community Centre alongside the library took a new turn over the past few weeks. It is important that our community knows what is happening and makes appropriate decisions. Please take a moment to read through the next piece so that you can make an informed decision. The existing Community Centre building in Pitt Street is owned by the Wellington City Council; managed by residents who form the Wadestown Community Centre Management Committee and which employs the Community Coordinator. At the December AGM the remaining few committee members resigned, and there were insufficient members of the community present to form a new committee. As this was just before Christmas Ian Shearer, President of the Highland Park Association, and I very reluctantly agreed to be temporary administrators. There will be a Special General Meeting on February 27th when we will find if there is interest in forming a new Committee. The Council officer present at the AGM was asked what would happen if a new committee could not be formed. We were told the Council would take control and there were several options available. One option would be that Council would offer the lease of the building to the Wadestown Creche. The Creche is already the major tenant, running sessions throughout the week. The Creche has a waiting list of some 60 parents seeking to enrol their childen. The Creche could happily co-exist in the building with the Wadestown Toy Library. Then the building, which was funded and built by Wadestown people in the early 1920’s as a club, would retain its community function. The other concern at the AGM was that if a new management committee could not be formed, what would happen to the important position of the Community Coordinator? The Council officer said the Council would employ the person directly. This would relieve the Coordinator of the arduous work of having to manage the building, at the expense of facilitating community activities. Many residents will know that our plans to build a new Community Centre alongside the library have been predicated on selling the old building to provide funds for the new building. Regardless of whether we retain the Community Centre Management Committee or whether the Council takes over, this no longer seems an option. The reason is that to sell the building would mean evicting the Creche and there is neither the site nor the money to locate a new Creche to Ministry of Education requirements. As far as I can judge, there has been no change in the community’s desire to have a Community Centre of two or three rooms established alongside the Wadestown Library. That desire has been boosted recently by the Wadestown Wilton Horticultural Society. The Society says it is keen to work with the Wadestown community on such a project. It says a Centre co-sited with the Library would give a heart to Wadestown. The Horticultural Society says this would provide a neutral place for its members and the community to meet, to hold exhibitions, to learn, to reflect, to provide basic facilities and to have a collective home. The Horticultural Society hopes there would be an indoor-outdoor area that would carefully blend and utilise the abandoned bush to turn it into a feature with some sensitive plantings. The idea is igniting interest and a local architect is already drawing up concept plans. This is a more contained version of the concept that was put before the community some three years ago and which was widely accepted with much enthusiasm. The difference is that now that the project would be designed, driven and funded by the community. It would produce something of which we could all be proud. There are a few issues to be resolved but the way ahead does seem clearer. If, at the Special General Meeting, sufficient people are found to reform the Community Centre Management Committee, these people would be managing a building which the community has already deemed to be inappropriate as a Community Centre. If the Committee is not formed the option described is the most likely. Please think about these options and if you need further information please call me. Our Available Councillor Despite being a very busy man, Councillor Ian McKinnon has told me that he is very willing to take calls or emails from Wadestown residents who need his help. Phone 027-273-1458 or ian.mckinnon@wcc.govt.nz Subscriptions Due Now The Wadestown Resident Association Committee has set the new annual subscriptions as “suggested amounts”. These are $10 for a family and $2 for Senior Citizens. You are welcome to give more, or a little less if your income is restricted. The money is used to run the association and pay for newsletters, rubbish collections, Village Fair, Community Noticeboard etc. If we achieve a surplus we endeavour to put it back into some community project. You might note that the suggested family subscription is still less than it would cost you to make one trip to the tip. You can pay your subscription by internet to Account code 03051:80176270:00 or post to Angus Marks, WRA Treasurer, 6 Rankin Street. John Shrapnell President, Wadestown Residents Association

Minutes of Wadestown Resident Association Committee 7.30pm, 31 January 2006, 27 Hanover Street

Present:      John Browning, Amanda Huttley, Angus Marks, Jenny Murray, Peter Murray, John Shrapnell, Malcolm Smith

Apologies:            Bruce Stokell

No minutes were taken at the previous meeting.

Finance - The accounts are looking very healthy.  Angus has merged the two accounts, and ensured WRA is listed as a non-profit organisation.

Subs - A reminder for this year’s subs will be sent in the coming newsletter, along with bank details for internet banking, and Angus’ address for cheques/cash.  It was agreed that subs will be ‘by donation’, with a suggested amount of $10 per family, and $2 for senior citizens.  The newsletter will make mention of the subs benefiting projects within the community. 

An option will be given for providing an email address to receive information about upcoming events in Wadestown, and for requesting feedback about relevant issues

Project Funding - It was agreed that whilst money should be saved for the Community Centre Project, the committee would like to start funding some projects in the community.  Members were asked to start looking for possible ideas that would benefit the residents, and may also increase our visibility as a group.

Safer Roads - John made the committee aware of the new WCC Safer Roads initiative.  This is available for viewing at the library

Village Fair – The date is now set – 11am-2pm, 18 March 2006.  The committee is encouraged to talk to friends and neighbours to promote attendance and contributors.  The fair will be mentioned in the newsletter, along with ideas for stalls i.e. ice cream stand (John will suggest this to the Scouts), helium balloons, small business advertising.

Newsletter - John kindly agreed to write the next newsletter, including information on subs and the village fair.  Please advise asap if there is anything else you would like to see included.

Community Centre - The project has received interest by the Wadestown Horticultural Society.  There is obviously much support for this centre, let’s all keep our fingers crossed!

Wadestown Map - Amanda to write to the WCC regarding replacement of the faded map outside the library.

Minutes of WRA Committee 7.30pm, 27 July 2005, 27 Hanover Street

Present:      John Browning, Amanda Huttley, Jenny Murray, Peter Murray, John Shrapnell, Bruce Stokell

Apologies:            Angus Marks, Malcolm Smith

Wilton Bowling Club - Proposed plans do not look overly obtrusive except to directly neighbouring buildings, so the committee did not have a strong view on the project.  It was agreed that we would informally contact the club and neighbours offering to be a neutral referee during discussions.

Accounts- A letter was written to the bank requesting the Playground fund be transferred into the WRA account, and WRA account co-signatory status for Angus Marks.  We are awaiting confirmation.

Rubbish Collection Coordination required with the council with regard to trucks, drivers etc.

Map - A new Wadestown map to be requested, along with UV protection to prevent fading.

Parking on Pavement - After much discussion it was agreed that a solution is difficult in narrow Wellington streets. A letter is to be written with our views, distributed to the committee before sending to the council.

Community Outcomes - The committee decided not to respond to the Community Outcomes request.

Meet the Candidates - There has been a good response from candidates to the meeting on Monday 15 August.  Helpers would be appreciated at 7.15pm to set up the hall.

Community Centre - We are still awaiting a response from the Wellington City Council

Minutes of WRA Committee, 7.30pm, 22 June 2005, 27 Hanover Street

Present:             John Shrapnell, Angus Marks, Amanda Huttley, Bruce Stokell, Lilli Ficko, Malcolm Smith

Apologies:            Jenny Murray, Peter Murray, John Browning

Community Centre - John gave the history behind the Community Centre plan.  WRA are awaiting the response from WCC (Wendy Walker) to Version 2.

Accounts - The Payground fund is to be tranferred inot the WRA account. Options for allocation of the Playground account fund were discussed, but the committee agreed to hold pending implementation of the community centre plan.

The committee agreed that Angus Marks will be co-signatory to the WRA account. The committee agreed to join the Federation of Wellington Progressive & Residents Association. The Association meets monthly, and is open to all to attend.

Beautification Scheme - Committee members to provide suggestions to JS by 1 July.  Discussed were: Spike Milligan Corner and replanting in Tinakori Hills.

Wilton Bowling Club - Obtain a picture of the new bowling club and proposal summary.  Following this resident’s views will be canvassed by the committee.

Rubbish Collection - The committee agreed that a rubbish collection would be held this year.  Coordination required with the council with regard to trucks, drivers etc.

Village Fair - The committee agreed that, following last year’s success, the Wadestown Fair would be held again this year.  Committee members to encourage residents to participate and hold stalls.

Database - The committee agreed to the production of a database for email distribution of information to residents.  This service will be advertised in the next newsletter, along with the WRA website address www.wadestown.wellington.net.nz.

Map - A new Wadestown map to be requested, along with UV protection to prevent fading.

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held 10 June 2005,
Wadestown Presbyterian Church Hall

1.            Previous Minutes

            These were read and agreed by all attendees.

2.            Presidents Report

            John Shrapnell highlighted a number of points from the report including:

• Update on the Community Centre
• Rubbish Collection Day
• Wadestown Village Fair 2005 (the best to date!)
• Update on the Saturn Cables lawsuit
• Additional assistance required on the Wadestown Residents Association (WRA)

3.            Finance Report

            The report was read and agreed. 

4.            Status of the WRA

            The function of the Residents Association was discussed.  The Wellington City Council often asks the association for submissions on matters concerning the suburb.  The president advised that whilst he comments on a number of relevant issues, he is unable to cover all the submissions required due to time constraints.  He is eager for more input by other residents. 

The president went on to discuss the roles of two of the other local groups:

Community Liaison Group:   comprises of representatives from other local groups e.g. the Creche, School, Library, Plunket

Community Forum    set up by request of the WCC, run by local residents, this group meets on an irregular basis.

It was noted that regrettably the local papers are not used more by the WCC for canvassing public opinions.

5.            Election of Officers

President            John Shrapnell – Nominated/Seconded: Bruce Stokell/Malcolm Smith – Unanimous Agreement

Secretary            Amanda Huttley/Annie Collins – Nominated/Seconded: Malcolm Smith/Bruce Stokell Unanimous

Treasurer            Angus Marks – Nominated/Seconded: John Shrapnell/Bruce Stokell – Unanimous Agreement

Committee   Jenny Murray, Peter Murray, Malcolm Smith, Bruce Stokell, Lilli Flicko, John Browning

6.            Any Other Business

6.1            WRA Subs
It was proposed that Subs are collected on a yearly basis, as many residents would like to contribute to the excellent work done on behalf of our community.  The issue of collection (by post or on rubbish collection) would be discussed further by the WRA at the next meeting.  This was agreed unanimously.

6.2            Trellisik Park/Ngaio Gorge Working Group
This group usually meets on the 1st Sunday and 2nd Thursday of each month for the purpose of clearing and planting.  Everyone is welcome – keep an eye out for the pamphlets in the library.

6.3            Thanks was given to John Shrapnell for the superb job he continues to do on behalf of the residents of Wadestown.

Newsletter – May 2005

Annual Mulled Wine and Cheese Evening

Now that the colder weather has begun it’s time that we had another such evening. With a glass or two of our special recipe mulled wine and some cheese and biscuits we can take a moment to look at what we’ve been doing. We can also decide on what the Residents Association should be doing in the future. In some circles they call this an AGM but I always say that quietly as the very words can deter people from coming. So let’s meet at :
7.30 Friday June 10, Presbyterian Hall, Hanover Street
During the course of the evening we need to consider the following:
1 President’s Report (attached) and Financial Report
2 Matters Arising from reports
3 Status of WRA today and tomorrow. Is it supported, is it desired?
5 Roles of Resident’s Association/Community Liaison Group/Community Forum
6 Projects: the following have been suggested by one of our residents
a) Create safer junction at Pitt St/Wadestown Rd
b) Create safer junction at Moorhouse/Lennel Rd)
c) Install a chair lift, aerial conveyance link from, say Wade Street
to Thorndon, or Barnard Street to Westpac stadium.
5 Any other matters
6 Informal discussions as we finish off the wine and cheese (if there’s any left).

If you’re wondering why a Friday, it’s because the hall is booked up on all the other days of the week.

President’s Report

Community Centre
It has been a busy and frustrating time since our last AGM. The main reason is that most of the focus has been on trying to resolve the future of the Community Centre. This follows the City Council’s rejection of the planned new centre along side the library.
I won’t speak for other people, but I’m know that I and others involved in that project feel that the community was conned by Council officers. Our cost neutral plan was enhanced and radically changed by them. When we raised concerns, we were assured that the Council would want to do things properly. That sentiment may have been accurate, but at the hearing, Council made it very clear that we had promised a cost neutral plan and the officer’s version would cost $1.2 million so it was rejected.
Part of the escalation was due to the Ministry of Education’s changes in grants for Creches. Whilst the Creche can continue to operate at the old Community Centre, if it were to move to new premises it would need all its facilities to be for the exclusive use of the Creche, even down to car parks just for the use of Creche staff. Our view is that such demands would make a Creche move impractical for the Wadestown community. I believe the Creche appreciates the impossible situation.
Since then we have been working with local architect Richard Wright on another plan involving the use of a second hand suitable building being co-sited with the Library. If this planning is acceptable to the community, it is anticipated that the Creche would remain in its current home, and rent or buy the building from the Council.

Community Facilities in General
Last year we were also involved in the Council’s Review of all community facilities. Despite many months of meetings and refinement of our views, all the steam and enthusiasm, died when the Council rejected the Community Centre plan. Since this is a key community facility I cannot see much progress being made until that issue is resolved.
The opening of the new St Lukes Centre has changed the mix of community facilities. Some users who need large spaces have returned to St Lukes, or moved from the cramped facilities at the existing Community Centre. However there is still the need for a community drop-in centre with two or three small meetings rooms. Somewhere that our ageing population and mothers with kids an access with ease.

Village Fair
The Village Fair grows bigger and better each year. It should be noted that the success of the Fair is due entirely to the residents, and the consistent help that we get from Anne Furneaux and other Wadestown Library staff. We receive no funding for the event from the Council but they do usually provide a couple of road barriers to slow traffic entering Moorhouse Street. Next Fair second Saturday in March.

Annual Rubbish Collection
If it goes ahead, this year will be our 35th Annual Rubbish Collection. Last year there was a significant increase in the amount of rubbish collected. We attribute that to the severe increase in tip charges and the fact that ours is free to all residents. The collections are only possible because the Council provide four truck and helpful drivers, and because the usual dozen resident volunteer to pick up everyone’s rubbish.
I must admit I get frustrated at the number of residents who put out substantial quantities of rubbish but make no attempt to help the volunteers. These are often the same people who leaves piles of small rubbish items that have to be picked up piece by piece when they could have been bagged or boxed. We may have to institute a policy of leaving such rubbish where it lies.

Finances
At the moment we have a reasonable amount of money in the kitty. This has been mainly due to us taking advantage of our web site as a means of communication. Each physical newsletter, such as this one, we have to deliver ourselves. I hope that situation will change with a new executive. I will have the accounts available for perusal at the AGM.

The Web Site
Our website has expanded to become the Wadestown website with separate pages for various community groups or links to their web pages. This means that you should be able to find any information about our community by visiting the one site. This is another free service which we provide for the community. The adress is www.wadestown.wellington.net.nz

Wither Next?
This will depend upon where you think we should be going and on whether you and others are prepared to help us get there.
Our Secretary Annie Collins will be unable to continue due to a changing work load. Our Treasurer, Terry McArthy is in a similar position.
There has been an informal committee that has been most helpful in decision making. However, the number of issues raised by the Council requiring community input is overwhelming and we need a solid group of people who are prepared to take on this work and ensure that Wadestown continues to be the village where we want to live and which provides the facilities and life style that we need.
Your help is vital.
John Shrapnell, President, Wadestown Residents Association

News letter August 2004

Meet the Candidates – Monday 30 August 7.30pm St Lukes

This year’s local body election will be a challenge for all of us - not because of what we think of the present Council (although I could write a book on that subject) but because this will be our fi rst STV Single Transferable Vote) election. In the past you may have voted Mary, Peter and Bill for our three ward councillors and forgotten about the half-dozen candidates. This time you must rank all the candidates in
your order of preference.

We’re in the Lambton electorate which will have three Councillors elected and the voting works this way. Let say there are 9,999 valid electors in Lambton Ward. When one of the candidates (say Mary) reaches a third of the votes plus 1 (that’s 3,334) she is elected. If you had put Mary as your fi rst choice, some of
your vote stay with her and the remained is passed on to your second choice and so on until three people have suffi cient votes. So your vote effectively trickles down through your choice of candidates.

With the Mayoral election, with which we are also concerned, we only need one mayor so the winner is the first person to achieve an outright majority ie over 50% of the votes. Again your vote is passed down through your choices of candidates. If this still doesn’t produce a result, the bottom polling candidates are
taken off the list and the votes trickle back up until a winner is found. If you would like a more detailed explanation look at the web site www.stv.govt.nz

Annual Rubbish Collection – Saturday 6 November, 8am

Yes, it’ll soon be that time of the year again. Your once-a-year opportunity to clear out the garage, the back room of whatever hidey-hole you use for those things that you think might be useful one day, but really aren’t. It’s a couple of months away so put it in your diary NOW so that you don’t forget that the trucks will be rolling down your street at 8am on Saturday 6 November.

If you’re in any doubt we collect the following streets. Blackbridge, Buchanan, Cecil (start to Euston St corner), Fernhill, Fitzroy, Hanover, Leslie, Lytton, Mairangi (to Norwich corner) Margaret, Marquis, Moorhouse, Norwich, Pitt, Purukau, Rangimarie, Rankin, Roscoe, Rose, Wade, Wadestown (Moorhouse to Blackbridge),Weld, Wilton (Purukau to Norwich), Vautier.

This is a community day so please check with your neighbours, especially the elderly or infi rm to see if they need help - it’s a good way to make friends.
If you can spare a couple of hours on Saturday morning (6 Nov) then why not join us on the trucks. It’s a fun time and our volunteers are always both men and women. But please don’t bring children the risk of them getting hurt is too great. When we’re done there’ll be coffee and scones at Dee’s place (21 Hanover).
If you can help, give Dee a ring on 472-7068. If you have any questions about the collection ring John 473-7128.

New Community Centre

No doubt you have heard that the Council turned down the proposal for a new Community Centre to be built beside the library. This was a real gut shot from the Council since the Council offi cers had promoted the idea to the community and had used their own plans rather ours. The Councillors turned the idea down because the officer’s plans it were not cost neutral. The Council says it’s now waiting for our community to raise half a million dollars to pay for a new community centre. Meanwhile around $4M is being spent in Karori and unknown sum to build a new community centre in Newlands.

There is another wrinkle with this issue and that is the position of the Creche. Under its present licence, the Creche is able to operate in the existing community centre even though it does not meet all the Ministry of Education’s requirement for a Creche. If a new Community Centre is built and the Creche moves to the new building it must meet all the Ministry’s requirements. This means exclusive use of its part of the building, Creche-only indoor and outdoor play areas, toilets and even Creche-only parking spaces for Creche staff. The City Council does not have a defi ned policy on its support or otherwise for Creches. In some areas, such as Karori, it has helped out, in others, such as Wadestown, it clearly does not want to. We need the Council to determine its policy and to administer it consistently throughout the city.

Community Forum

Over the past year the Forum has done a lot of work in identifying and clarifying the vision for the future of Wadestown. The information is currently being put into a document that can be sent to all residents. We want to ensure that any vision is “owned” by the community before we put it forward to the Council as a basis for their planning. While there are still people intersted in the forum, the turning down of the community centre project has seen a marked waning of interest.

We all need to take advantage of the local body election process to push candidates into committing themselves to take action of the Community Centre project. Come to the Meet the Candiates meeting and put those standing on the spot. We want a commitment from them as to where they stand on the Council funding and building a new Community Centre for Wadestown. We also want to know where they stand on Council support for pre-school organisations such as Creche. While it is tempting to seek candiates’ views on every issue, I urge you to concentrate on getting commitments to these two vital community issues fi rst. If candidates are asked their views on the bus services, parking meter fees, the cost of rubbish bags, and the pot holes in your street, then we’ll get a lot of waffle from each and no commitments. We want to know which candidates are committed to doing the best forour community.

Who can help?

Do you have a commitment to this community in which you live, and possibly work? If so then the Wadestown Resident’s Association desperately needs your help.

Do you like living here because of the green environment, the life style, the community facilities, the dawn chorus of native birds, the library, the great local school or whatever? Do you want it to stay that way or get better? If the answer is Yes,then you need to get involved.

The Association is here to represent the interests of Wadestown to both local and central government. That means that if Wadestown wants a new community someone has to gain community support and put the idea to the Council. If you’re fed up with commuter cars that now park in Wadestown, someone has to write to the Council about it. Each week we get request from the Council for the community’s opinion on this issue or that issue. If we don’t respond to theses requests or make our community’s view known, then we’re likely to fi nd solutions that suit the needs of Island Bay or Mount Victoria rather than Wadestown.

If you have time, and are prepared to take on some of the association’s tasks, please ring me – John Shrapnell, President, Wadestown Residents Association

October 2003

Annual Rubbish Collection - Saturday 1 November
Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Your once-a-year opportunity to clear out the garage, the back room of whatever hidey-hole you use for those things that you think might be useful one day, but really aren’t. You’ve got a couple of weekends to start work and then at 8am on Saturday 1 November the trucks will be rolling down your street.

If you’re in any doubt we collect the following streets. Blackbridge, Buchanan, Cecil (start to Euston St corner), Fernhill, Fitzroy, Hanover, Leslie, Lytton, Mairangi (to Norwich corner) Margaret, Marquis, Moorhouse, Pitt, Purukau, Rangimarie, Rankin, Roscoe, Rose, Wade, Wadestown (Moorhouse to Blackbridge),Weld, Wilton (Purukau to Norwich), Vautier.

This is a community day so please check with your neighbours, especially the elderly or infirm to see if they need help - it’s a good way to make friends.

If you can spare a couple of hours on Saturday morning (1 Nov) then why not join us on the trucks. It’s a fun time and our volunteers are always both men and women. We ususally end up with coffee and scone at Dee’s place. If you can help give Dee a ring on 472-7068. If you have any questions about the collection ring John 473-7128.

New Community Centre
The community plan to sell the old Community Centre building in Pitt Street and to build a new centre behind the library is still with the City Council. They are assessing the merits and financial viability of the plan. I must admit I had expected to have heard back from the Council by now but so far not a word.

Community Forum
The Community forum has been holding regular meetings to determine the vision of Wadestown. Look out soon for public meetings to discuss the ideas that have been raised so far. If you’re a resident of Wadestown then this must be a vital issue for you and your family as it will eventually determine a whole series of important issues ranging from the facilities that are available in Wadestown to the density of housing.

God be with you Graham
Many of us were shocked and saddened to read of the sudden passing of one of our most devoted members, Graham Law. Even on the wettest winter night Graham could be relied upon to come to our meetings. There his quiet, thoughtful comments would add substance to any debate. He and his wife Gaye would help deliver newsletters and notices around the village. If you managed to collar Graham for your team on the rubbish collection you were fortunate. Being vertically unchallenged meant that Graham could heave things just a little further than the rest of us - a highly valued talent on a rubbish collection. He was also a member of our committee and I will missed his help and advice on the many community issues that we discussed.

Boundary Changes etc
For reasons that are unclear, the Council has changed some boundaries of our junction with Wilton. As far as the Council is concerned Wadestown and the Lambton Ward now exclude the odd numbers in Blackbridge Road, the even numbers in Wilton Road, the odd numbers in Norwich Street, 68 and above, and 89 and above in Mairangi Road, 124 and above, and 109 and above in Cecil Road. See map overleaf.

The Council has also decided that Highland Park no longer exists as a suburb and apparently never did. This is inspite of the facts that Highland Park was established as a separate estate in the early 1800’s and has been recognised as such by the community ever since.

It seems odd that at a time when communities are so important to the well being of our society that our so called city fathers should cast aside one of their eldest offspring so carelessly.

Take heart Highland Park, we know you’re there and we will continue to recognise and appreciate you. We will also maintain the Wadestown Boundaries as describe on the other page of this newsletter.

This is also the time when we have an opportunity to comment on the eletoral boundaries for the ward system.Wadestown and Highland Park are part of a massive ward called Lambton. That ward also includes Highbury, Kelburn, Mount Cook, Aro Valley, Mount Victoria, Roseneath, Oriental Bay, Thorndon and the central city.

We have argued before, and we will again, that the Lambton Ward does not meet the criteria of the Local Electoral Act in that it is not a community of interest. It is composed of several communities with quite different interests. Take for example the interests of apartment dwellers in Manners Street, would they have the same community interests as people living in a hilly suburb such as Wadestown?

Council wants feedback
As usual we are inundated with requests from Council for information and comment on its various plans. On the positive side, this is the Council consulting. On the negative side, it is impossible for voluntary groups such as Resident Associations to consult with the community, obtain a reading of community attitudes, and respond to Council within the Council timeframes.

We are currently asked to respond to the Triennial Electoral Review, Traffic Plans for Wadestown Road, Sefton Street, the Liquor Control Bylaw, the new busfare structure, Parking Restrictions in various streets, the Wadestown Visioning process, the Outer Green Belt Management Plan etc, etc.

If we do not respond then when the Council does make a decision and we don’t like it any objection is met with the response “We consulted the community”. That might be an accurate assessment, whether it is a fair assessment is another matter.

Who can help?
As mentioned earlier our Resident’s Association committee has lost Graham Law, we also have virutally lost our Secretary Annie Collins who has been working night and day on Lord of the Rings and other members are trying to cope with working and teenage children. If you have time, and are prepared to take on some of the association’s tasks, please ring me.

John Shrapnell
President Wadestown Residents Association

June 2003

The Annual Mulled Wine and Cheese Evening or AGM was held on Tuesday June 10 despite howling winds and rain.

Among the issues discussed were whether a residents association was needed in view of the development of the Community Forum. There was unanimous support for continuation as the Forum's role was seen to have different priorities.

The possibility of a donation to the St Lukes fund for it's new hall was rejected. the meeting felt that any spare funds should be used first for the new community centre.

It was suggested that the Village Fair be set a week later on the 2nd of 3rd week of March. This would avoid a clash with the Wairarapa events and the Scouts weekend. There was also a suggestion that the Fair should start and finish later - perhaps 11-2. A planning committee for the fair will be established and will meet later in the year

There was a plea for younger people to become involved in the association so that a wider spread of community opinions could be achieved

The Annual Rubbish Collection will be on Saturday 1 November that giving residents and opportunity to sort out their rubbish on Labour weekend.

The Assocations Thiink Tank (Committee) will include Graham Law, Coleen Pilgrim, Chris Abbott, Pauline Swan and John Shrapnell

May 2003
Annual Mulled Wine and Cheese Evening

Now that the colder weather had begun it’s time that we had another such evening. With a glass or two of our special recipe mulled wine and some cheese and biscuits we can take a moment to look at what we’ve doing and decide on what the Residents Association should be doing in the future. In some circles they call this an AGM but I always say that quietly as the very words can deter people from coming. So let’s meet at :
7.30 Tuesday June 10, Presbyterian Hall, Hanover Street
During the course of the evening we need to consider the following:

President’s Report and Accounts (attached)
Annual Rubbish Collection
Village Fair
New Community Centre
Council’s Strategic Review of Facilities
Roles of Resident’s Association/Community Liaison Group/Community Forum/Community Board
President’s Report

Cables

Life has been more hectic than usual since we last met. Much of the intervening time was taken up trying to represent people’s objections to the overhead Saturn Cables. Along with a dozen other residents groups we formed a coalition CORA and took the matter to the Environment Court. The Court advised that we should enter a Court appointed mediation process. We spent nearly a year in mediation with Saturn and the Council before returning to the Environment Court to seek declarations from the Court that one cable meant one cable, as specified in the Council’s District Plan, and that Saturn was in breach of the plan by erecting bundles of up to 10 cables.

We found the Court process lacked both logic and natural justice. The judge agreed with us but refused to make a formal declaration because he said that those people who took the Saturn service were not in court to have their say. To rub salt into the wound the Judge accused us of wasting the Court’s time because we had taken the Court’s advice and undertaken the Court’s mediation process. The penalty for this was $16,000 of costs to be paid to Saturn. It has not been paid because CORA doesn’t have the money.

This battle was undertaken on your behalf and on the behalf of other Wellington residents but the benefits have gone to Auckland and Christchurch where the various City Councils took heed and took action to curb Saturn. And the final irony is that the Wellington City Council, that fought us all the way, has now changed the District Plan to obstruct any future attempts to hang overhead cables.

Community Centre

Just on a year ago the City Council began its Strategic Review of Facilities. This is a euphemism for what cutbacks can we make? They began by establishing two pilot schemes, one in Miramar and the other in what they called the Onslow area, which ran from Wilton to Broadmeadows and from Kaiwharawhara to Highland Park and Wadestown. We were able to persuade them that this was not a community but several communities, some of which had no links with the others.
We pointed out to Council that we had put forward a plan to Council six years earlier and that they had been sitting on that plan every since. As a result, our plan was fast tracked as we were well ahead of all the other communities in the so called Onslow area.

The plan which we put forward was a cost neutral concept of selling the old Community Centre building and site and constructing a new purpose built Community Centre behind the library. You will all have received a mail drop about this a couple of months ago so I won’t repeat all that information. During the past three months we have created a Community Forum which prepared and put the plan to Council once again.
The current state of play is that we are waiting on Council, once again, to determine the price they might get for the old building and the site and for an estimate of the cost of the new building. If they are comparable we would expect the Council to go ahead with the project. It will require the new building to be constructed first so that the Creche can move in, since it is the major user of the Community Centre. If the figures are not comparable then undoubtedly the Council will scrap the project and years of work will be lost.

Community Facilities in General

Once the Community Centre Project is resolved we, as a community, must look at the other facilities. We are still part of the pilot project and the Community Centre is just one important issue. While we have concentrated on one issue, our neighbours in Ngaio have been developing their community plan from the other end. They have been looking at the big picture, the sort of community they want in terms of housing density, shopping centre, the issue of the main road splitting the community etc. We need to undertake a similar process so that we can have some say in the development of Wadestown.

Community Boards

Even further down the track, but now in sight, is the issue of Community Boards. This has been rumbling away in the background for several years now but the change in the Local Bodies Act, and the vote to move our election process to STV, has brought this issue into focus. While STV may work well when you have a large number of candidates that you can list in order, it would seem to work less well when there are only two or three candidates. I suspect there may well be a move to get rid of wards and have only city-wide Councillors. We have already been asked to consider adding in our neighbours of Wilton and Northland into the Wadestown Community Forum. If the council does get rid of wards then elected Community Boards seems to be inevitable. These would leave Councillors looking at city-wide issues and Community Boards being made responsible for local expenditure.

Finances

At the moment we have a reasonable amount of money in the kitty. This has been mainly due to having fewer newsletters and the fact that we have delivered them ourselves. I hope that situation will change with a new executive. I will have the accounts available for perusal at the AGM.

Wither Next?

This will depend upon where you think we should be going and on whether you and others are prepared to help us get there.

Our Secretary Annie Collins will be unable to continue due to a changing work load. There has been an informal committee that has been most helpful in decision making. However, the number of issues raised by the Council requiring community input is overwhelming and we need a solid group of people who are prepared to take on this work and ensure that Wadestown continues to be the village where we want to live and which provides the facilities and life style that we need.
Your help is vital

John Shrapnell
President Wadestown Residents Association

What do we need?

What we need most from you is your intellectual input. Tell us what we should be doing. Tell us about the issues that concern you.

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